Thioesters of steroids

ABSTRACT

PREDNISOLONE AND DEXAMETHASONE DERIVATIVES ARE PROVIDED, IN WHICH THE 21-POSITION CARRIES A CARBOXYL GROUP DERIVED FROM A THIONATED AMINO ACID, SUCH AS METHIONINE OR CYSTEINE, IN WHICH THE AMINO GROUP IS CONNECTED TO A PROTECTIVE GROUP SUCH AS THE BENZYLOXYCARBONYL GROUP OR THE ACETYL GROUP AND/OR THE SULPHUR ATOM IS ATTACHED TO A METHYL RADICAL OR TO A PROTECTIVE GROUP, E.G. THE BENZYLOXYCARBONYL GROUP OR THE BENZYL GROUP. THE COMPOUNDS HAVE LOCAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTION.

United States Patent Int. Cl. corc 169/32 US. Cl. 260397.45 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Prednisolone and dexamethasone derivatives are provided, in which the 2l-position carries a carboxyl group derived from a thionated amino acid, such as methionine or cysteine, in which the amino group is connected to a protective group such as the benzyloxycarbonyl group or the acetyl group and/or the sulphur atom is attached to a methyl radical or to a protective group, e.g. the benzyloxycarbonyl group or the benzyl group. The compounds have local antiinfiammatory action.

The invention relates to the products defined by the following formula:

wherein R and R denote each a hydrogen atom or together form a double bond,

R represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom,

R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,

R denotes the acyl radical derived from a sulfur-containing amino acid such as methionine or cysteine in which the amino group is connected to a protective group such as the benzyloxycarbonyl group or the acetyl group and the sulphur atom is attached to a methyl radical or to a protective group, in particular the benzyloxycarbonyl group or the benzyl group.

Applied locally, these products have a very interesting anti-inflammatory action which is generally greatly superior to that of the anti-inflammatory steroids from which they are derived.

The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the compounds defined above, which process is an application of the method of W. T. Moreland (Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1956, 21, 820; Shunsaku Noguchi, Yakugaku Zasshi, 1961, 81, 373).

According to this process, the sulfur-containing amino acid R -OH in which R has the meaning indicated above "ice is reacted with the 21-iodo-alcohol, which is represented by the following formula:

CHzI

---OH HO w- -Ri l i R2 i V R:

The esterification reaction may be carried out in the presence of a hydriodic acid acceptor, in particular triethylamine, preferably using dimethylformamide as diluent instead of acetone which is the diluent customarily employed.

The amino acid R -OH which has a blocked amine function and a blocked thiol function may be prepared by the process described by Stephan Goldschmidt and Christian Jutz in Chemische Berichte, 1953, 86, 1116, or the process described by Wood and Du Vigneaud in Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1939, 130, 110.

The required sterol ester may be isolated by adding a diluent such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride to the reaction medium, washing the organic solution several times with water to remove dimethylformamide, drying with sodium sulphate and evaporating the diluent. The compound obtained as residue may be purified either by crystallisation in a solvent such as isopropanol or by dissolving in a hydrocarbon such as benzene and then precipitating with petroleum ether, this operation being preceded, if indicated, by chromatography.

The products are obtained in the form of white powder and are found to be chromatographically pure. The melting points are not entirely characteristic of purity, melting being preceded by softening. They are, however, mentioned in the examples by way of indication.

The IR spectra correspond to the structures mentioned above and in particular they show a wide band between 1500 and 1550 cm.- for the compounds dispersed in KBr, which may be attributed to the amide II band.

The NMR spectra are in accordance with the structures indicated.

Preparation of the 21-iodo derivatives may be carried out, according to the processes described above, in two stages starting from sterols which have an alcoholic function at 21: first the action of para-toluenesulphonic acid chloride in dimethylformamide to provide a quantitative yield of the chlorine derivative, and then the action of sodium iodide in acetone to produce the required iodo derivative.

To obtain the said iodo derivative, the methanesulphonate of the steroid alcohol may be used instead of its chlorine derivative. The methane sulphonate may be obtained by reacting the required steroid alcohol with methanesulphonyl chloride in pyridine on a bath of ice.

The table below indicates by reference to the formula shown at the beginning the structure of typical compounds which constitute the object of the invention. It also refers to examples given hereinafter.

Reference Example number R R R3 R4 R5 number 28001 H H H H GH -CHz-S-OH; 1

N H-C O-CH:

28006.4;2'. Represent an H H CHgCHg S-CH: 2

additional bond N H- C O- C H:

28017..-.:. Represent an H H CH; OH; S C H; 3

additional bond NH-C O O OHPCQHE 28018- Represent an H H CH; S-0 0 O CH,- GQHE 4 additional bond NH-C 0 O CHgCgHg 28019 Represent an H H CH; SCH3 0 H;

additional bond NH--C O 0 GHQ-C5115 28007..'.L .2 Represent an F C H; CHg-CHg- S CH; 6

additional bond NH-C 0 CH:

5394...-:..-...' Represent an F CH; CH;OH;- 5-013; 7

additional bond NH-C O O CHr-CqHs 5395 Represent an F CH; CH -S-COOCH -Cgfi; 8

additional bond NH-C O O CH3C5H5 5396..-; Represent an F CH; 0 Hz- S CH3- (3 H; 9

additional bond 0 O-CH NE-C 0-OCH -C H 5397 Represent an F CH3 OH: S C O-OCH,C H 10 additional bond N H-C 0-011:

5398...;;.';:' Represent an F CH: CH; S -CH;-C H 11 additional bond 0 O C In the examples which follow, the NMR spectra were obtained with a Varian A.60 apparatus, using a solution in denteriochloroform with tetramethyl silane as internal EXAMPLE 1 17B-(S-acetylamino-1,4-dioxo-3-oxa-8-thianonyl)-17a, 11-fl-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-androstene (28,001 CB) 5 g. of 2l-iodo hydrocortisone (0.0106 mol) and 6.07 g. of Nlacetylmethionine (0.0318 mol) are dissolved in cc. of anhydrous acetone. 9 cc. of triethylamine are added, the solution is maintained at 30 C. for 2 hours with stirring, and the acetone and excess triethylamine are driven off under vacuum. The viscous mass is taken up in 200 cc. of methylene chloride and the resulting solution is washed carefully three times with water and dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent is evaporated. The product is obtained in the crude state in the form of a white powder. The pure product is obtained by chromatography over silica gel (elution with benzeneethyl acetate) after evaporation of the solvent, dissolving the residue in benzene and precipitation in petroleum ether.

M.P.=108 C. to 110 C.

The NMR spectrum of the product shows four main peaks whose chemical displacement and intensity correspond to the groups CH in SCH (2.1 p.p.m.); CH in (2.0 p.p.m.); l8-methyl and 19-methy1 (0.95 and 1.45 p.p.rn.).

The infrared spectrum shows the following characteristic bands, among others: Amide 11 hand in the region of 1530 cm. and 0:0 bands in the regions of 1645, 1715 and 1740 cmr EXAMPLE 2 1749-(S-acetylamino-1,4dioxo-3-oxa-8-thianonyl)-17a, l1 3-dihydroxy-3-oxo-androstadiene-1,4 (28,006 CB) 8.8 g. of 21-iodo-prednisolone and 10.75 g. of N-acetylmethionine are dissolved in cc. of dimethylformamide, and 8.1 cc. of triethylamine are added. The solution is kept at 30 C. for 2 hours with stirring, 350 cc. of methylene chloride are added and the mixture is poured into 1.5 l. of water.

The product is obtained in the pure state after isolation and chromatography carried out by the method described in Example 1.

M.P.=116 C. to 117 C.

5 NMR spectrum: CH in S-CH (2.12 p.p.m.); CH in i -4111; (2.01 p.p.m.); 18-methyl and 19-methyl (0.96 p.p.m. at 1.47 p.p.m.). Infrared spectrum: amide II band in the region of 1530 cm:- C=O bands in the regions of 1650 cmf 1715 cm." and 1740 crnr EXAMPLE 3 17,8 benzyloxy-carbonylamino 1,4 dioxo-3-oxa-8- thia) 17 oz,11,8 dihydroxy 3 oxo-androsta-1,4-diene (28,017 CB) 4.5 g. of 2l-iodo prednisolone are dissolved in 20 cc. of dimethylformamide. 5 cc. of triethylamine and 3.38 g. (1.25 equivalents) of N-benzyloxy-carbonyl DL-methionine are added. This solution is maintained at 45 C. for one hour with stirring. The crude product is obtained by treating this solution with ethyl acetate, washing it successively with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, then sodium carbonate, then dilute bisulphite solution and finally water, drying and evaporation. This crude product is taken up in methanol and treated with charcoal decolorant. After filtration and evaporation of the methanol, the product is dissolved in the minimum of benzene and precipitated in petroleum ether.

M.P.=92 C. to 94 C.

The NMR spectrum shows five main peaks: 18-rnethyl and 19-methyl (0.95 p.p.m. and 1.46 p.p.m.); CH in SCH 2.1 p.p.m.); CH in C H -CH (5.11 p.p.m.); C H (7.33 p.p.m.).

EXAMPLE 4 17/3-(5 benzyloxy-carbonylarnino phenyl-1,4,8-trioxo-3,9-dioxa 7 thiadecyl)-17a,11fi-dihydroxy-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene (28,018 0B) The procedure carried out in Example 3 is employed, N-benzyloxycarbonyl DL-methionine being replaced by the stoichiometric quantity of N,S-dibenzyloxycarbonyl-L- cysteine.

M.P.=90 C. to 92 C.

NMR spectrum: C H (7.3 p.p.m.); CH in --NHCOO-CH C H (5.2 p.p.m.); CH in SCOOCH C H (5.09

p.p.m.); 18-methyl and 19-methyl (1.45 p.p.m. and

0.95 p.p.m.).

EXAMPLE 5 17,8 (5 benzyloxy-carbonylamino-8-phenyl-1,4-dioxo-3- oxa 7 thia) 11a,17B-dihydroxy-3-oxo-androsta-1,4- diene (28,019 CB) The product is prepared by the method described in Example 3, N-benzyloxy-carbonyl DL-methionine being replaced by the stoichiometric quantity of N-benzyloxy-S- benZyl-L-cysteine.

M.P.=88C. to 90 C.

The NMR spectrum shows inter alia six peaks which are characteristic of the following groups:

Two C H groups: one at 7.33 p.p.m., the other at 7.28

-CH in the COOCH C H chain at 5.11 p.p.m.;

-CH in the S-CH -C H chain at 3.75 p.p.m.;

18-methy1 and 19-methyl at 1.45 p.p.m. and 0.92 p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 6 9-(S-acetylamino-l,4-dioxo-3-oxa-8-thia-nonyl) 17a,11;8- dihydroxy 9a fluoro-16ot-methyl-3-ox0androsta-1,4- diene (28,007 CB) 9.5 g. of 21-iodo dexamethasone and 17 g. of N-acetylmethionine are dissolved in cc. of dimethylformamide. 15 cc. of triethylamine are added. The solution is maintained at 40 C. for 2 hours with stirring, the residue is taken up in 400 cc. of ethyl acetate and the organic phase is carefully washed with carbonated water, then with a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid, then with a dilute solution of sodium bisulphite and finally with water. The product is dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness and the powder obtained is taken up with the minimum quantity of isopropanol and left to crystallise.

M.P.= C. to 127 C. (capillary).

NMR spectrum: CH in S-CH (2.1 p.p.m.) and in COCH (2.03 p.p.m.).

IR spectrum: 0:0 complex band in the region of 1660 cmr wide C=O complex band at 1700 to 1760 cmr wide C==O amide II band in the region of 1540 cum- EXAMPLE 7 17B (5-benzyloxy-carbonylamino-1,4-dioxo-3-oxa-8-thia nonyl) ;,115 dihydroxy-9a-fluoro-16u-methyl-3- oxoandrosta-1,4-diene (5394 CB) 3 g. of 21-iodo dexamethasone and 2.1 g. of N-benzyloxycarbonyl DL-methionine are dissolved in 20 cc. of dimethylformamide. 5 cc. of triethylamine are added. After two hours stirring at 40 C., the product is isolated by the method described in Example 6.

M.P.=113 C. to 115 C. (capillary).

IR spectrum: Around 1530 cm.- (amide II); conjugated CO in the region of 1650 cm.- complex 0 0 bands around 1650 cm. and 1715 cm? with infiexion at 1750 cm.

EXAMPLE 8 17 8 (5-benzyloxy-carbonylamino-10-pheny1-1,4,8-trioxo- 3,9 dioxa 7-thia-decyl)-l7a,1lfi-dihydroxy-9a-fluoro- 16u-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene (5395 CB) 10 g. of 21-iodo dexamethasone and 9.4 g. of N,S-dibenzyloxycarbonyl L-cysteine are dissolved in 100 cc. of dimethylforrnamide. 12 cc. of triethylamine are added.

The reaction mixture is heated with stirring at 60 C. for 45 minutes. The product is isolated by the method described in Example 6.

M.P.='90 C. to 92 C. (capillary).

IR spectrum: Wide band around 1520 cm? (amide II): C=O complex bands around 1650 cm.- and 1710 cm.- with an inflexion in the region of 1750 cmr EXAMPLE 9 17,8 (5 benzyloxy-carbonylamino-8-phenyl-1,4-dioxo-3- oxa 7 thia-octyl) 17u,11p-dihydroxy-9u-fluoro-160imethyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene (5396 CB) 3.5 g. of 2 1-iodo dexamethasone and 3.2 g. of N-benzyloxycarbOnyI S benZyI-L-cysteine are dissolved in 35 cc. of dimethylformamide, 6 cc. of triethylamine are added, the reaction mixture is heated at 60 C. for one hour with stirring and the product is isolated by the method described in Example 6.

M.P.= 142 C. to 143 C. (capillary). IR spectrum: Wide band around 1520 cmf C=O complex bands around 1650, 1710 and 1750 cmr EXAMPLE 10 17B (5 acetylamino-lO-phenyl-l,4,8-trioxo-3,9-dioxa-7- thia decyl) 170:,1lfl-dihydroxy-9u-fluoro-16a-methyl- 3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene (5397 CB) 3.5 g. of 21-iodo dexamethasone and 2.7 g. of N-acetyl- S-benzyloxycarbonyl L-crysteine are dissolved in 35 cc. of dimethylformamide, 6 cc. of triethylamine are added, the reaction mixture is heated at 60 C. for one hour with stlirring and the product is isolated as indicated in Examp e 6.

7 M.P.=.l25 C. to 128 C. (capillary). In the table below, the results are expressed as per- IR spectrum: Wide band around 1530 cm.- ;(.-O comcentage variation of the Weights of treated granuloma plex bands around 1650, 1710 and 1740 cutwith respect to the control granuloma as a function of Dose of product deposited on each cotton pellet (in mg.)

Product 0. 001 0. 005 0. 01 0. 025 0. 031 0. 05 0. 0625 0. 1 0. 125 0. 0. 50 l 1l. 3 Prednisolone Derivatives of dexamethasone:

1 Statistically significant results.

EXAMPLE 11 the dose of each product. The table is divided into two parts corresponding to the prednisolone derivatives and 1718-(S-acetylamino-S-phenyl-l,4-d1oxo-3-oxa-7-tlnaoctyl)- dexamethasone derivatives 17 B dihydfoxy-9u'fiuoml6i'methyl'3'oxoandms Thus, all the derivatives studied showed clear evidence til-1.4456116 (5398 25 of a local anti-inflammatory action.

2.7 g. of 2.1-iodo dexamethasone and 1.7 g. of N-acetyl- Amhhg the derivatives of P 1113010116, 28,006 CB has Sbenzyl-L-cysteine are dissolved in 25 cc. of dimethylan action substantially equal to that of prednisolone. The formamide, 5 cc. of triethylamine are added, the reaction other three derivatives, 28,018 and an? mixture is heated at 40 C. for two hours with stirring and distihfifly more active and the derivative 28,018 CB has the product is isolated by the method described in Exam- 30 the highest ahti-ihfiflmmatofy a p16 6' The results obtained are found to be similar to those obtained with derivatives of dexamethasone. 5395 CB is found to be distinctly different from the other products. It is still highly active at 0.001 mg. and provides a sustained antagonistic action against the proliferation of M.P.=95 C. to 97 C. (capillary). IR spectrum: Wide band around 1540 cm.- C=O complex bands around 1650, 1715 and 1740 cmr- The new compounds were investigated for their posgranulation tissue. sible anti-inflammatory properties by local administra- (2) Local action against sulphuric acid necrosis in tion. The following tests were carried out: the rat.

(1) Influence on the development of the subcutaneous The test was carried out on male rats of the Sherman cotton granuloma in the rat studied by incorporating the 40 Stra Wh c ha been hemically epilated. Dorsal cuproduct in the cotton pellet. taneous necrosis was produced under a general anaes- The local anti-inflammatory action of these derivatives thesia by the application of 20% sulphuric acid for 90 was investigated by means of the experimental granuloma Se onds. test (Hershberger and Calhoun, Endocrinology 1957, The product 5395 CB, which was the most highly active 60, 153). in the previous test, was incorporated in two doses in an This test consists in implanting under the skin of the ahhydfolls ydrophilic excipient (p ly yl yf rat, cotton pellets of equal weight impregnated with the intm nt 0f US-P. XVII)- The treatment was applied product which is to be studied. The tests are carried out y n o s message for two minutes every day for five on the male rat of the Charles River strain having an y Starting from the third y following n crosis. The average weight of 200 grams. 5O cutaneous fold was measured each day.

The animals are divided at random into batches of 10 and the pellets are then implanted under a light ether f i'grfiatior anaesthesig. Each 1fiat is given two plellets in the dorsal t g ig ggg region an two e ets int e pectora region. Ia ion rea men n impregnation Eat the pellets with the products to be Product percent percent studied was carried out as follows: The product is disgggfgggfiiff fg 1 1 solved in dioxane and the concentration of this solution 5 5 CB 0,001 is varied so that the amount of product added in equal Dmmpflmw' (L003 volumes to each batch of pellets varies from 0.001 mg. to 4 mg. per pellet. Before implantation, the pellets are 60 Th difiergnce i i i between 5395 CB d dexaplaced in a drying oven to facilitate evaporation of the methasone can be clearly seen at a low concentration organic solvent. (0.001%).

For each product, experiments are carried out with (3) Cutaneous penetration. several doses, each dose being administered to one batch Transcutaneous penetration Was studied in the male of ten rats. Each test is combined with a test on a batch rat which had simply been shaved. of ten control rats to whom similar cotton pellets im- Sherman rat; healthy skin: pregnated with solvent alone and then evaporated are After shaving with clippers, a cream containing the administered under the same conditions. substance to be studied was applied once each day for The animals are killed on the seventh day after im- 5 days to the two flanks by massaging for exactly two plantation. The granuloma formed around the cotton minutes. The flanks were very carefully dried after each pellets impregnated either with product or with solvent application. The excipient was the same as in the tests alone are removed. This granuloma are dried in an oven described above (PEG ointment -USP XVII) and the for 48 hours and then weighed. concentration used was 0.1% (in dexamethasone).

The weights of the treated granuloma and the weight The following criteria were chosen for penetration:

of the control granuloma are compared. Variation of the body weight, blood lymphocyte count/ mm. polynuclear/mononuclear ratio, each per mmfi, variation in the weight of the thymus and variation in the weight of the spleen.

The results for three of the compounds are sum- Thus, the new compounds, and particularly those of dexamethasone, have the anti-inflammatory action of the parent steroid derivative but their localized effects are more favourable and their general diffusion and hence marized in the table below. 5 their general secondary effects are more limited. The phe- L m hoe tcs y p y Mononuclear Ratio Polynuelear Neutrolymphocytes A, percent phi Poly, Mono, Before After Before After before after Body treattreat- A, pertreattreat- A, pertreattreat- Product Weight Thymus Spleen ment ment cent 1 ment ment cent 1 ment. ment Exeipient +2.5 3, 470 3,475 +13 10,335 12,110 +18.9 0.336 0.28

Dexameth- 1 Mean value of individual variations. This value is thus difierent from the percent calculated on the basis of the mean value.

2 Reference.

At the concentration and under the experimental connomenon is particularly noticeable in the case of 5395 ditions chosen, cutaneous penetration is found to be very high, which is in accordance with the characteristics of the skin of the rat, which has a very thin epidermis perforated by a very large number of hair follicles. At this relatively high concentration, little difference is found between the products. If, however, each product is classified according to the response obtained for each criterion of penetration the overall classification shown below is obtained, which indicates that 5395 CB has the least penetration, which favours a local anti-inflammatory action of long duration. The grading 1 is allotted in each case to the strongest action.

Grading of activity with respect to each criterion of penetration Dexa- Excipmeth- 5305 5306 5397 Criterion of penetration lent asone CB CB CB 5 2 4 3 1 5 1 4 2 2 5 2 4 1 3 5 3 4 2 1 A poly/mono 5 1 3 4 2 Total 9 19 12 9 Results:

Change in- Concen- Body tration weight Thymus Spleen in in in in I percent percent percent percent Anhydrous excipient +3. 9 34 16. 5 Dexamethasone 0.001 7.3 49 -27.4 0. 001 -1. 2 34. 9 7. 8 0.001 0 20. 9 3. 2 0.003 9. 2 85 9. 5 0.008 8. 1 86 -12. 5 0. 003 7. 5 85 29 In conclusions, it may be said that as regards cutaneous penetration, compounds 5395 CB and 5396 CB have Weaker general effects at a concentration of 0.001% than the other products used, indicating weaker penetration across the necrosed skin and hence a certain retention at that level.

At a higher concentration (0.003%), general penetration is very high and manifests itself, as in the case of dexamethasone, by a substantial involution of the thymus and of the spleen and a drop in body weight.

5395 CB has a particularly high local specificity and may be used for the treatment of local inflammatory, allergic and other lesions for which local corticotherapy is indicated in man and animals. It may be administered in the form of ointment, cream, solution, emulsion, aerosol or implant or any other conventional form used for local application to the skin, mucous membranes or tissues.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutical compositions are given below.

Milk (viscosity 7.7 poises) Cetomacrogol 1000 5 Perhydrosqua'lene 10 Glycerol 5 Purified water q.s. for

Cream (viscosity 35 poises) Cetomacrogol 1000 10 Perhydrosqualene 7 Glycerol 7 Purified water q.s. for 100 Anhydrous ointment 5395 CB 0.262 Mixture of polyoxyethylene glycol 400 (4 parts by weight) with polyoxyethylene glycol 4000 (1 part by weight) q.s. for 100 Anhydrous ointment Trichlorocarbanilide 0.200 Same mixture of polyoxyethylene glycols 400 and 4000 as above, q.s. for 100 Cetomacrogol 1000 is a polyethylene glycol 1000 monocethylether (British Pharmaceutical Codex 1968, p. 138.)

I claim: 1. Compounds having the following formula:

wherein R and R denote each a hydrogen atom or together form a double bond;

R represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom;

R represents a hydrogen or a methyl group;

R represents the acyl radical of a sulfur-containing amino acid selected from the group consisting of methionine and cysteine wherein the amino group is at tached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of benzyloxycarbonyl and acetyl with the proviso that 'when the acid is cysteine, the sulfur atom is attached to a benzyloxycarbonyl or benzyl group.

2. Compounds as claimed in claim 1 and having the following formula:

HOf

in which R represents CH -S-CH represents CH or CH C H 5. Compounds as claimed in claim 1 and having the following formula:

12 in which R represents CH -S-CH OI S-CH2c H5 and R1 represents CH or OCH C H 6. A dexamethasone derivative as claimed in claim 1 which corresponds to the following formula:

HG "CH;

7. A process for the preparation of one of the compounds claimed in claim 1, which process comprises reacting a thio amino acid derivative corresponding to the formula R5-'OH with an iodo compound corresponding to the following formula No references cited.

ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner "US. Cl. X.R. 

